The USMNT began practicing Monday at Lipscomb University in preparation for its Gold Cup opener against Panama on July 8 at Nissan Stadium. It is a rematch of the 2015 Gold Cup third-place game and will be followed by a match between Martinique and Nicaragua. The event will go a long way in showcasing Music City as a soccer hotbed. More than 35,000 tickets have been sold, and the stadium is opening additional sections.

“I played in Nashville two years ago (in a friendly) against Guatemala, and we had a great turnout,” midfielder Gyasi Zardes said after practice Monday, “and I know for sure we’re going to have another great turnout this upcoming game. So I love it. I love being here in Nashville and hopefully they get a team in the future.”

Dom Dwyer grins as he kicks the ball with teammates during training with the U.S. Men's National soccer team at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, June 26, 2017.
Josie Norris / The Tennessean

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The Gold Cup, a regional tournament played every two years, includes teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean.

In addition to continental bragging rights, the 12-nation tournament provides an opportunity for players to prove themselves worthy of a roster spot on the national team that could compete in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

“I don’t think I have to make that point to them,” coach Bruce Arena said. “I think they’re well aware of that. A lot of things can happen coming out of the Gold Cup, especially when the World Cup is a year away. So this is an important tournament for the players, and I think they’re well aware of that fact.”

The USMNT, chasing its sixth confederation championship, will play a tune-up match against Ghana on Saturday in East Hartford, Conn., before returning to Nashville.

The USMNT is playing in Group B and will follow its opener in Nashville with matches in Tampa and Cleveland, which precede the knockout round. The USMNT has a 2-2-0 overall record in Nashville.

“It’s always good feelings to play for your country, to represent your country,” defender Eric Lichaj said. “It’s always an honor. When I was younger I always watched the national team, so it’s something I’m really proud of to do, wear the crest. I’m just going to do my hardest. It’s an opportunity for everybody that’s in this squad to stake their claim for a World Cup spot in a year’s time. So I’m working toward that goal. That’s my ultimate goal.”

Arena, in his second stint as U.S. men's team coach, a position he held from 1998-2006, guided the U.S. to the Gold Cup championship in 2002 and 2005.

“It’s great to be in a competition that’s important,” Arena said. “This is our confederation championship played in our country. So I think we need to respond accordingly and we need to do everything we can to try to win the tournament.”

Arena said Nashville is a logical place to prepare, as players can grow accustomed to the heat and humidity.

“And clearly when we go to Tampa, that’s going to be a little bit more intense than it is here,” Arena said. “And then we go to Cleveland and then hopefully we keep moving around to other places after that. But I think Nashville is a perfect place for us to be to start preparation for the tournament.”